What is Sour Stomach?

Sour Stomach is commonly known as acid indigestion. It is the result of having an abominable digestion that leads to buildup of acid and reflux into the esophagus. It usually occurs when there is a hydrochloric acid excess build up in the digestive tract and stomach. It is sometimes accompanied by heartburn or acid reflux.

With the hectic and stressful lifestyles of many busy people nowadays, most of them sacrifice healthy eating habits which in turn will lead into having a sour stomach condition. Pregnant women also are not exempted from experiencing such digestive condition. It is very important that one should look after ones health and should never ignore the signs and symptoms of sour stomach, because it has a tendency that it will lead to ulcer, damage of the stomach lining and esophagus if not properly given attention.

Symptoms

The common symptoms that are associated with this condition are as follows:

Nausea

It is referred to as queasiness, bilious, and upset stomach. It usually precedes vomiting. Although vomiting may not occur, but bouts of nausea may continue even if the symptoms have assuage.

Regurgitation

It is when the stomach content goes back to the esophagus, or what is termed as retrograde flow, which may reach up to the throat level. This symptom happens because the LES or the lower esophageal sphincter is weak enough and can’t prevent the backward flow of the contents of the stomach, such as Hydrochloric acid, towards the esophagus.

Stomach Bloating

It is the feeling of fullness or bloated after a small consumption of food. It is most often associated with having an accumulation of gas in the upper gut which leads to bloating sensation with belching excessively. The result of stomach acid reflux upon belching is sour belches.

Other uncommon symptom that may be associated with this kind of condition includes:

Heartburn or burning in the chest causing chest pain

Stomach ache

Stomach noises which is usually described as loud gurgling

Abdominal pain

Abdominal distention

Sour, metallic, or acidic taste in the mouth

Causes

There are actually a lot of etiology of why a person experiences sour stomach. The most common causes of this condition embody the following:

Stress

Overeating

Eats quickly

Aerophagia or swallowing air

Excess devouring of carbonated drinks, alcohol, caffeinated beverage

Consumption of spicy foods

Lying prone or flat after a heavy meals

Strenuous activity after eating

Inverts oneself or hanging upside down after eating

If the condition recurs or persist a lot it may be due to a person having peptic ulcer or gastritis. Less frequently associated with this condition are the symptoms of diarrhea and vomiting, which is likely related to gastroenteritis and other serious medical condition.

Diagnosis

There is actually three diagnostic tests that one must undergo to be able to correctly diagnose one person as having this kind of condition, these are:

pH test

Here a litmus paper will be used to measure the acidic amount of the stomach contents that have reflux into the esophagus.

Barium X-rays

It is sometimes called as Barium swallow or upper GI series, wherein you are to drink a chalky like liquid, which is Barium, which fills and coats the lining of your digestive tract. A series of x-rays are then taken. The x-ray will present a silhouette shape and condition of your digestive tract, such as the esophagus, stomach, upper intestines, which is up to the duodenum only.

Upper Endoscopy

Through the use of endoscope, the physician can examine the patient’s esophagus, stomach and duodenum. The endoscope is a thin flexible lighted tube with camera. An endoscope is the equipment that the patient has to swallow or is passed through the mouth.

Esophageal Motility Testing

The aim of this test is to measure the pressure and movement of the esophagus. A catheter is passed through the nose and into the patient’s esophagus.

Treatment

In the treatment of sour stomach there are three simple tips you have to follow:

Drink Relief

You can try natural herbal drinks that will relieve you of the symptoms of sour stomach. You can either try baking soda which is dissolved in water or ginger tea with a freshly squeezed lemon.

Changing your Eating Patterns

Avoid eating heavy meals if you are planning to sleep in the next three hours. Avoid also the beverages that may cause sour stomach. Some of the beverages are already mentioned above.

Lifestyle Change

Stop smoking. Smoking contributes to peptic ulcer. Also, have a stress free reliever because stress can make worse your stomach problems. You can do yoga, jogging or walking exercises, or engaging yourself to music stress-free therapy and the like.

Aside from the ones mentioned, there are also medical treatments such as Tagamet or Zantac that blocks the acid in your stomach. There are other medications that can be prescribe by your doctor that will aid in relieving the symptoms associated with this kind of stomach problem.

Remedies

There are a lot of remedies, that may be used at home, which are effective in relieving the sufferers or the people having this kind of stomach conditions. Some of which are as follows:

Water

It is the simplest and most effective remedy. Drinking a glass of cold water when one is standing is a good way to relief heartburn.

Papaya

It provides a long term treatment for sour stomach. Daily consumption of papaya fruit will do wonders with this stomach problem.

Carrot Juice

Aside from water, you can also drink carrot juice. Drink slowly yet immediately.

Green Tea

Studies show that drinking tea without sugar, early in the morning will help in lessening the acidity of your stomach.

Ginger Juice

You drink this juice in warm water and it is preferable if you drink one glass in the morning and at the evening.

Lemon Juice

This type of juice will make the acid in the stomach neutralize. It is preferred to be drunk before each meal.

Aloe Vera

Which has many benefits, one of which is that it is a home remedy, which is effectively treats sour stomach. It can be found in health stores or you can use a fresh one in your garden.